Introduced in 2005, the second-generation 300 bowed in 2011, offering dimensions only slightly longer and wider than the first-generation model. Now in its sixth model year, the current Chrysler 300 is showing its age — plans for its replacement are underway.

What may follow could stun enthusiasts, especially if parent Fiat Chrysler elects to place the large sedan on the same front-wheel drive platform underpinning the all-new Chrysler Pacifica minivan. If FCA utilizes Pacifica architecture to support the third-generation 300, it’ll offer optional all-wheel drive, just as it does today.

News of the 300’s possible successor was shared by FCA Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne with reporters at the company’s manufacturing plant in Windsor, Ontario, on Friday reports Reuters. Marchionne was on hand to thank workers for launching the Chrysler Pacifica, representing a $2.6 billion investment in its minivan line.

That investment may never be recouped unless other models are derived from the platform. One of the models thought possible was a Dodge SUV variant — either to replace the current Durango or to supplement it.

A replacement for the current Dodge Dart is still open.

Front-Wheel Drive Architecture

Moving to front-wheel drive architecture aligns with the approach Chrysler’s competitors have long taken, including the Ford Taurus, Chevrolet’s Impala, and the Toyota Avalon. Of the three, only the Taurus offers available all-wheel drive — the possible Chrysler approach is also one Audi takes, but the latter’s market is the luxury segment.

Mention “Chrysler 300” and two other models come to mind: Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. The current Dodge sedan and coupe share nearly everything with the Chrysler, including the platform and most major components. One difference is found in the Hellcat lines as these are unique to Dodge and have effectively placed a lucrative halo over each one.

Marchionne’s pronouncements typically provide reporters with enough fodder to keep FCA in the news, while omitting some information about related products, brands, and production facilities.

Chrysler and Dodge Separation?

Although long tied at the hip, there is nothing written in the FCA playbook that the Chrysler 300 and its Dodge cohorts must continue on the same path. Indeed, Chrysler is now a mainstream brand, while Dodge represents its performance brand.

Thus, the next-generation Dodge Charger and Challenger might continue as is or adopt an Alfa-based rear-wheel drive platform as reported by Automotive News last August. The new platform should yield a third Dodge model, Barracuda (‘Cuda), a sport coupe convertible.

Rumors that FCA might eventually kill off Dodge seem like just that — although the Dart in its current form is doomed (as is the slightly large Chrysler 200), other models such as Viper, Charger, Challenger, ‘Cuda, Durango, and the eventual replacement for the Journey should keep this brand relevant.

Chrysler 200 production is winding down.

Other FCA Products and News

The 300’s future isn’t the only FCA news of late.

The next-generation Jeep Wrangler may get a twin-turbocharged, four-cylinder engine making 300 horsepower, supplementing the standard 3.6-liter, V-6. Further, production of the all-new Ram 1500 pickup truck will begin by Jan. 2018.

Production of the Dodge Dart will cease by year’s end as the Belvidere, Illinois plant where it is produced is converted to build the Jeep Grand Cherokee, now built in Toledo, Ohio. Ohio production will focus primarily on the next Wrangler as well as a Jeep-based pickup truck. Also, just as the company’s Sterling Heights, Mich., plant loses the Chrysler 200 by early next year, it will be retooled to supplement future Ram 1500 capacity.

As for the Dart and 200, Marchionne is still holding out hope that a partnership with another manufacturer to build replacement models will happen. Those models would be based entirely on a competitor’s technology. For example, Volkswagen Jetta and Passat models might be tapped and rebadged as the Dart and 200 respectively, although there has been no mention VW is even considering such a relationship.

More Jeeps and pickup trucks. And partners sought to build small cars.

Future Chrysler 200s may be built by a competitor.

Shop for a small Chrysler product in a few years and that Dodge Dart or Chrysler 200 just may be built by one of the automaker’s competitors. Earlier this week Fiat Chrysler announced its revised North American business plan with future production now geared toward producing more SUVs and fewer cars.

Modified Business Plan

The updated business plan, released by Fiat Chrysler on Wednesday, reveals several important changes about the company’s direction in North America, including:

Producing more SUVs and pickup trucks, and fewer small cars.

Outsourcing production of two vehicles — the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart sedans — to competitors.

Adjusting its Alfa Romeo plans by concentrating on bringing its Giulietta sedan to the market during the first half of this year and bringing its midsize SUV online by the end of 2017. Other models are still on tap, but will arrive further out in the production planning cycle.

More Trucks and SUVs

Long top-heavy in pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, Fiat Chrysler plans to tilt further in that direction as it sees increased permanency in the currently low fuel prices. A global glut in fuel availability has driven down prices tremendously and some analysts believe low prices will be around for many years.

FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne says that the company’s two US-built small cars, Dart and 200, will “run their course.” Instead of funding development of new product, the company plans to reach out to its competitors to build these models for them. The manufacturing plants tasked with building the two models will eventually be converted to building Jeep products and pickups.

The company’s Sterling Heights plant in Michigan currently builds the 200 but will be retooled to build the next generation Ram 1500 pickup trucks due out in 2018. A similar transition is in the works for the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois, producer of the Dodge Dart. That plant also produces the Jeep Compass and the Jeep Patriot.

Additional Product Plans

Other important points of the Fiat Chrysler business plan include:

Partnerships are in the offing. Fresh on the heels of partnering with Mazda to build the Fiat 124 Spider, FCA will seek additional partners to help it maintain a presence in the small and midsize car categories. Such collaboration between automakers is nothing new, but this practice has increased steadily over the past several years.

New hybrid models are on the way. FCA will step up its hybrid game by offering more models across multiple platforms. Even the Jeep Wrangler and the Ram 1500 pickup truck will receive hybrid variants.

No new manufacturing plants are planned. FCA plans to maintain its current manufacturing plant count and won’t build an additional plant in Toledo as had been expected. Instead, FCA will utilize its current footprint as it leans toward building more Jeeps and Ram pickup trucks.

Build me a diesel. FCA will also bring a diesel Wrangler Unlimited to the market, but likely not for five years. Even so, a diesel-powered Wrangler would appear a few years before a hybrid variant is released.

Making More Money

Fiat Chrysler’s profitability has always hinged on its North American market. By producing even more Jeeps and pickup trucks and fewer cars, the automaker’s profitability picture should remain robust for several years.

At the same time, its greater commitment to these models could leave the company exposed if consumer tastes suddenly shift following a huge spike in fuel prices. That’s a gamble the automaker is willing to take as consumers flock to a variety of high-profile vehicles.